Police in Nakuru County are investigating a distressing incident in which an 89-year-old woman was reportedly raped by her middle-aged neighbour.

Reports say that the assailant reportedly attacked the elderly woman while she was having dinner at her home on Wednesday night.

The attacker allegedly gained entry into her residence through the main gate before convincing the woman, who lives alone, to grant him access to her home. He subsequently assaulted the woman and locked the main gate from outside before fleeing the scene.

The woman was on Thursday subsequently taken to a local hospital by her family and police after her son noticed that she failed to get up in the morning as per her usual routine.

The locked gate further heightened suspicions, leading the son to forcibly enter his mother's residence only to find her writhing in pain.

The woman was admitted to the hospital, receiving care for injuries sustained to her face and pelvic area, with doctors recommending reconstructive surgery.

"She was wheeled to the theatre, where doctors performed surgery. She is in a stable condition and responding well to treatment, we are still monitoring her. She will be discharged in the next three days. We have filled the P3 form as police investigate the incident," a doctor handling the matter told the Nation.

Police are currently pursuing the suspect who reportedly forgot his phone at the scene of crime when he fled.